#chapter 26 - Hawthorn

[call-jupiter]

sycamore tree snippet #25

from chapter 26: "Hawthorn"

“Hold up,” [Lopez] directed. “How would you feel about helping me out on a case instead of patrolling today?” “Lopez, I’m… not a detective or anything.” “No, but I got turfed a homicide. Those are always fun, right? Come on, Chen. It’ll help you flex those muscles. Might even get you an edge on the exam. That’s gotta be coming up soon, I bet.” Lucy bit at her lip, wrestling with herself over whether she was ready for more people to know she’d changed her mind on her career path. But, noticing how excited Angela seemed at the prospect of working her case together, she decided to keep that to herself for the time being. “Sounds great,” she replied, imbuing as much enthusiasm as she could. “Yes,” Angela cheered. “I only skimmed the file, but… this one seems interesting. And pretty straight-forward. The best kind of homicide, really.” She furrowed her brow, registering her own statement. “I mean… if I have to choose. Of course.” “Of course.” “Obviously the best homicide is a homicide that doesn’t happen.” “Obviously.”

[spookyserenades]

not trying to rush or anything! i was just wondering when we’ll get a taste of sanctity 👀

hehe! I'm working on the first chapter already, it's up to 4k words. I've made a banner (not a swanky one LOL my strengths are not with graphic design) but I'll copy paste my notes about the boys that I've come up with so far. And give you the banner 💕

Seokjin 

Born 1145 - Turned 1176 (Goryeo) 879 years old, physically 31

Manipulative type yandere 

Taeja (crown prince) of a monarch, third-born son; focused on studies, arts, humanities, and would assist in conversations surrounding war and foreign relations

Speaks Korean, Mandarin, Japanese, Arabic (most ancient languages as well)

Power: Compulsion, he can influence minds, wipe memories, make suggestions to control someone

Yoongi

Born 1476 - Turned 1507 (Renaissance Period) 548 years old, physically 31

Obsessive type yandere

Apprentice of Leonardo Da Vinci, created some of his art then went on to have his own famous career, patron of arts 

Speaks Latin, Greek, and all other Romance languages

Power: Paralysis, he can paralyze someone using his mind, rendering them unable to move

Hoseok

Born 1607 - Turned 1637 (Early Modern Period, Piracy’s Golden Age) 417 years old, physically 30

Possessive type yandere

Buccaneer, captain of a ship that would sail around the Caribbean. Plundered and burned cities, owns many fine things, well-traveled

Speaks all Romance languages, Dutch, Haitian Creole

Power: Tracking, he can find anyone with his senses without fail, can predict target’s moves in advance

Namjoon

Born 1630 - Turned 1659 (Joseon) 394 years old, physically 29

Sadistic type yandere

Ruthless military general that led men during the Qing invasion of Joseon. Later became an assassin (sword for hire, essentially) 

Speaks Korean, Mandarin, Japanese, and most other Asian languages

Power: Pain Illusion, when focused on target he can create the illusion that the target is being burned alive

Jimin

Born 1796 - Turned 1824 (Regency Era, 20 years post America’s Independence) 228 years old, physically 28

Clingy type yandere

Famous playwright of romantic tragedies, owner of a theater in England that was extremely popular

Speaks all Romance languages

Power: Hypnosis, he can convince targets that they’re in love with him/can’t live without him

Taehyung

Born 1841 - Turned 1869 (Victorian Era, 20ish years before Industrial revolution) 183 years old, physically 28

Stalker type yandere

Basically Vanderbilt vibes. The coven lives in the Breakers mansion, Taehyung built it. Owned railroads, reclusive business tycoon

Speaks English and French

Power: Glamoring, he can disguise his appearance and his presence itself

Jeongguk

Born 1900 - Turned 1926 (Roaring 20’s, Prohibition Act, Al Capone mafia) 124 years old, physically 26

Overprotective type yandere

Ran with Al Capone crime family, mostly as a booze smuggler and bodyguard. Was turned when the North Siders targeted Capone at the Hawthorne inn

Speaks English

Power: Telepathy, can read minds

[thisblogdoesnotexisg]

MAJOR SILVERBORN SPOILERS NOT KIDDING IT SPOILS EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER

silverborn chapter by chapter review 

1: did she seriously kill off Hawthorne i swear to god

2: oh cool hallowmas wait what was that last thing

3: mean dead people

4: dogs scare away mean dead people? sure whatever i guess--

oh! uhm! was that necessary!

5: mkay guess we're ignoring that cute treehouse anah is silly morrigan is having an existential crisis (is anyone keeping tally) yeah alright that was a nice relief from the jump scares oh hey ezra what are you doing here

6: squall's a meanie head and morrigan's katara and what is a ghast doing here

7: morrigan scared some drunk teenagers and then forgot everything

8: holliday they're like 13 chill 

9: holliday chill the sequel featuring miss cheery and morrigan's got nepotism on her side

10: dame chanda wasnt kidding when she said morrigan darling huh, is the silver district just the capital from hunger games or?

11: i mean ezra has a point there? also nyooooom

12: oof ouch i have to admit holliday's right too? bad days all round... OH I HAVE TO DISAGREE WITH JUPITER???? KILL ME NOW

13: cadence ur so real 

14: modestine I would die for u

15: wdym safe with the others?? oh hey gay people and also boats

16: how many times is morrigan gonna get kidnapped in this book

17: why's megaphone guy here oh look the groom's cheating and oh look now he's dead 

18: eddie and jem are gay right this isn't just me

19: yayyy more 919 stuff did cadence just use the word sus also why are you keeping count of your books no one does that

20: francis' dog's name is asparagus hawethorn's dad is funnier than me, baby Dave is a menace, and Ezra has a special interest in glass now i guess

21: hawthorne having a nervous breakdown 

22: anah is harassed via books,  morrigan develops more PTSD , Jupiter is still MIA from like 10 chapters ago?? margot is still an angel, probably evil tho

23: cadence gone feral, hawthorne knows a lot about dragon politics, cadence and morrigan both think dolphins are suspect apparently 

24: neither Jupiter nor cadence sleep, what's witchcon can i come too, Jupiter and morrigan are still mad at each other

25: mordence nation how we feeling?

26: morrigan shows off while cadence continues scavenging, octopus armchair makes friends everywhere, why does jupiter sound like squall i dont like this

27: octopus armchair i love you, no more nicknames ig, everything is sentient i love this

28: morrigan stop no go back to wunsoc

29: stop using the word suss morrigan oh hey squall 

30: since when did you not want to traumatize morrigan, squall? meredith is not very creative with bad mouthing

31: oh hey the twins are back and they know how to teleport, hey let's not get jumped by the giant fish

32: conall and danny nooo😭😭😭😭

33: is hawthorne gonna ride alights because it REALLY seems like it

34: lam is the best to nobody's surprise

35: the world does not have room for TWO jupiters wait what jack that's a bad idea (morrijack nation how we feeling)

36: this is physically painful to read morrigan

37: wine and women and wonderful vices🎶 also let vesta talk

38: noelle that's kind of creepy

39: wow aunt margot is mean who could have possibly predicted this

40: squall's will is wearing down

41: wow aunt margot is mean who could have possibly predicted this part two

42: i feel like this is the opposite of deadnaming, also was lady darling writing those books or

43: how many crimes has morrigan committed in this book someone keep tally

44: wow the darling family is mean who could have possibly predicted this (part three) and also YAY JUPITER

45: morrigan now really hates glass

46: OCTAVIA'S BACK BABEY oh and one uncle added to inventory wait what was that last thing

47: cake interception 

48: told you you should have listened to vesta 

49: isn't this what hawthorne wanted but with extra steps or

50: ok wednesday addams call down

51: this is a bit dramatic now

52: morrigan it's a giant squid you can let it die

53: guiltghast is back, oh hey it ate the murderer and also the forgers and also the petty thieves and al

54 what's up squall oh okay we're time traveling now

55 this is a bit dramatic part two but it actually works

56: lots of redemption arcs (kind of) can we get more noelle action in the next book also justice for gigi bc what was that????

57: AWWWWWWW YAYYYY FOUND FAMILLYYYYYUY

[celtigxr]

THE PINK DREAD - CH. 26 (Masterlist)

Chapter Summary: Aegon attempts to court Valeana properly this time. In his own, Aegon-y way. Word Count: 6018 CHAPTER WARNINGS: 18+ , MDNI. Horny!Aegon, Brief discussion of non-con things. Alcohol.

Series tags: Aemond x Plus size!OfC, Aegon x Plus size!OfC, Celtigar!ofc, Plot with Smut, mdni 18+, Aemond End Game, Angst, Comedy, The Dragons Don't Dance, slow burn, friends to enemies to lovers, enemies to friends to lovers.

Credits: Lace Banner by Aquazero, pearl divider by Pommecita

Notes: ya welcome👋

When Aegon awoke that morning, his mind was just as muddled and fuzzy as everyone else’s in the Keep, though his was much louder with chatter from last night. His voice, his mother’s, Valeana’s, and Catelyn Redwyne’s.

During their dance, he had an interesting conversation with her; she was young, four years his junior, and yet wiser. Cat read him like a book in the time it took them to do the ceremonial dance at the beginning of the ball, but instead of chastising him (which his mother did later that eve, and again that morning), she instead gifted him some of her feminine insight. 

“Is this faux courtship a ploy to help her win back Aemond, or help you win her?” She had said with eyebrow raised and mouth pulled in a knowing smirk. 

Aegon stared at her, completely stunned at how easily she pulled out her conclusion. He stuttered, trying to say otherwise, but then Cat begged him to stop with a cute little laugh before continuing. 

“It’s just like the book, The Knight and I. Lady Deana Bettley and Ser Tymond Hawthorne get into a fake relationship to help each other. Deana had been scandalized, and no suitor wanted her, but with Tymond courting her, suitors started to desire her out of jealousy. And Ser Tymond does not wish to marry, wanting to live the life of a rake for the end of his days, so he uses Deana –a maid from a higher house– to cease his father’s badgering. But! They eventually fall in love with each other, because of all the time they spent together in order to keep up with their charade. Unfortunately, by the time Tymond even realized he loved her, she had gained the attention of the Lord of the Vale, and was set to be betrothed. It was all very romantic.”

After she had just gushed about the plot of her book – which to Aegon sounded like a right bore – he just blinked at her. Catelyn blushed heavily, and looked down embarrassed. 

“I really like reading,” she said in a small voice, her eyes flickering around the ballroom coyly. 

“I can see that,” Aegon offered her a small laugh to ease her shyness. He wet his lips, eyes glancing over at Valeana and Jacaerys, who appeared to be having a discussion of their own. With a swallow, he asked, “What…What did Lord Tymond do… to win her back?”

Cat looked back up at him through her lashes and a small smile crept on her plush pink lips.

Emboldened by Catelyn Redwyne’s advice, Aegon ignored his mother’s lecture about conduct, her plea for him to stop pursuing Valeana, and her warning if he failed to do so. There was nothing she could do to him that she hadn’t done already; slapped him, insulted him, rolled her eyes in his direction, reminding him at every turn that he was a disappointment. What was she going to do now? Tell him that he isn’t fit to be king, and find a worthy one in Aemond instead? That would be doing him a grand favour indeed. At least then she could pawn Helaena off to him, and Aegon would be free to take Valeana as his bride. 

What a double-edged sword that would be for Aemond. Getting half of his desires, while Aegon frolicked with everything he desired: freedom and Valeana, heavy with his child. 

His cock swelled at the mere thought of it. Tits large and weeping with milk, stomach rounded with evidence of his claim to her body, cunt tightly wrapped around his cock as she bounced on his hips. Aegon had to call in Hildy to aid his intense desires last night after the ball, leaving the pale-haired maid in a sweaty mess on his bed, her three holes thoroughly wet and spent. 

Aegon never lusted for a single woman so intensely, it almost frightened him. Though what was more frightening was the prospect of her not being his, which is what drove him to orchestrate his first, official move to woo her. 

“Aegon, how the hell did you get in here? Hardy at the front,” Valeana whispered harshly to him, arms tightly wrapped around her chest, that maroon robe snuggly wrapped around her. 

They carefully walked out of her shared bedroom with Shyla, closing the door silently, leaving them alone in the girls’ solar. 

“The secret passage of course,” he answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. At her look of confusion, he elaborated, “There’s one in Floris’ room.” 

“How do you even know–” She cut herself as her memory caught up with her. “That is how you put those toads in her bed without being caught.”

Aegon giggled softly, “That’s what she gets for tattling. C’mon, let’s get out of here.” 

They moved quietly into Floris’ room as if they were approaching a den of lions. The Grafton girl was sprawled out like a starfish in her bed, occupying as much space as possible in her large mattress– twice as large as Valeana and Shyla’s. It seemed like a waste, in Aegon’s opinion. He and Val could have occupied that bed until the sun rose, and her family would be none the wiser for it. 

The gateway to the secret entrance was behind a squat bookshelf that housed more baubles and shoes than actual books. It was already ajar, Aegon didn’t want to waste time trying to find the latch to re-open it. There was a low dim of light from the torch that he left inside, a little down the way so the light wouldn’t wake up the beast in the bed. Motioning her to follow, they crawled into the portal, and with a gentle tug of the latch, the inconspicuous shelf-door closed behind them. 

Taking her hand, he guided her through the twisting passageway, ensuring that she didn’t trip over the narrow stairways that spiraled down. They then entered a cavernous corridor with arched ceilings that looked like a never ending tunnel to nowhere. With her hand still in his, and the torch in his other, Aegon led her not far from that point, until he got to another inconspicuous secret passage in the form of a slab of stone. 

“Hold this,” he handed the torch to her, and went over to put his entire weight into rolling the stone away. A gust of tepid summer night air wafted into the musky passageway, blowing at Valeana’s silvery strands that framed her face. The rest of her hair was in a very long loose braid, laying upon her shoulder before ending in a knot at her waist. The idea of wrapping it around his wrist and yanking her head back as he took her from behind was not lost on him. 

Beyond the stone slab was a balcony carved from the cliffside itself. It was large, overlooking the crags and the crash of waves of the Blackwater Bay below. There were some statues in the four corners, broken, littered with moss and barnacles. The balcony, if Valeana would call it that, was particularly low along the side of Aegon’s Hill, so it was safe to assume that during winter and autumn, and during the storms throughout spring, the waves of the sea would become so high it would fold over the stone fence that framed the terrace, soaking the area in ocean debris. That night was not one of those nights. The water was calm, though still dangerous as it pushed against the side of the mountain, foam splashing here and there as it attempted to reach the ledge. 

“Aegon…” Valeana stepped out in the open, head pivoting in every which way, seeing nothing but a moonless blanket of black and navy, dotted by stars and creased by waves. No city lamplights, no life, beyond the two of them. There were two braziers that were already lit; the light it offered at such a grand space was dim but enough to see without strain. When she turned around to face the cliffside, she saw what Aegon had left for her. A plush duvet, anchored by a dozen fat, plush pillows. There was a silver cloche sitting in the middle, flanked by amber goblets and two filled carafes of what was likely wine. There were candles there too, some still lit while others had been blown away by the ocean breeze.  

When she turned to him, eyes looking like two emerald stars, Aegon suddenly felt like a child wrecked with nerves. “... What is this?” 

The possibility of rejection lingered in the recesses of his mind, a foreign concept to him since Aegon wasn’t used to rejection. He would simply ask for a girl and she would be granted to him without complaint. A privilege of the title ‘prince’ that he had come to take for granted. Valeana could reject him, and be within her right, and he could ignore it and force himself upon her, and it would be within his right as prince of the realm, as he was entitled to everything and everyone he desired. 

But then she would hate him for an eternity, and curse his bloodline and soul, and Aegon would be left a shell of a man, with nothing but his regrets, all for one night of carnal release. No, forcing himself on her was never an option. He also wasn’t the type of man who wished to see a woman in pain beneath him. Nothing was more of a turn on than enticing world-shattering pleasures on a body with his own hands, mouth, and cock. It was the closest thing to power he had, and he wanted nothing more than to show that to her, if she’d have him. 

He didn’t answer her question, just simply smiled and gestured towards the little nest he had made for them, “Sit. I have cheese, bread, grapes, and salted meats.” 

She eyed him curiously, a tad suspiciously, but still trusted him nonetheless. Aegon watched her descend into the blanket and pillows with gleeful satisfaction. He quickly deposited the torch into the nearest brazier, then practically skipped over to join her. 

Valeana watched him for a beat as he gingerly lighted the doused candles using one that was still lit. “Are you going to tell me what all of this is?” 

“Well,” he began, lighting the last candle. “This platform was where the Old King and his Queen would land their dragons after taking them to flight around the Crownlands. It was a quicker and more surreptitious way for them to get into the Keep without stopping at the Pit and taking a horse or carriage back.” 

Aegon took the domed lid off of their late night meal and smiled up at her, “It’s said that Jaehaerys and Alysanne conceived Saera Targaryen on this very terrace.”

Valeana tilted her head at him, her suspicious gaze turned more like curiosity, “And why is it that you brought me here in the dead of night, Aegon?”

He was pouring the goblets now, “Well, I am… trying to court you.” 

Her mouth popped open, but words escaped her. When Aegon handed her the first goblet, she tentatively took it. 

“I know, I know…” He trails off, already reading her thoughts. Aegon stared into his goblet as he swirls around the red liquid, mixing the tannins around until they dissipated. “We have an arrangement. This was supposed to be a ruse, but… but, hells, this is difficult to say.”

“Aegon,” Val inhaled deeply, her shoulders sagged a bit, the load of an unsaid burden weighing her visibly. “I must speak to you abou–”

“Valeana,” he interrupted her, his smile pained, almost quivering as he tried to bite back his nerves. “Please. I wish to speak this before the words are lost on me.” 

She folded her lips under her teeth and nodded. 

Aegon took a generous sip from his goblet before putting it back down, “I remember what I said to you at the Ball last night. At least, most of it. I wish I had said it a little more… gently and less crass, but I do not regret it. It was the truth… and, hells, Valeana, what I’m trying to say is that I’ve grown fond of you. Quite fond. And I do not wish for us to be a charade anymore.”

His words tumbled through his wine stained lips, eyes looking everywhere other than hers own; her hands, the folds of her robes, the peak of her prosthetic that could be seen through the thin muslin material of her chemise. But his purple eyes found her green ones in the end, and the fear of rejection spiked. Aegon could read her hesitancy as plainly as the stars in the sky. Her eyes danced between his, searching for something in them. Glancing down, the prince took her free hand in his and ran his thumb over her knuckles. 

“If you do not want me, I will leave you alone–”

“Aegon,” her lids shut before the sting of her eyes became too much. “I would be lying if I said I haven’t grown fond of you either.”

Like the waves of the ocean, relief washed over him, but like the crags and spires of stone that protruded around Aegon’s Hill like a natural jagged crown, it crashed with more worry. There was a ‘but’ coming, the way her words hung there, at the edge of a cliff. 

“Aemond and I reconciled that same night. He–” she shook her head and cleared her throat. “I will spare you the details, but it was enough for me to let him back into my life. Not entirely, but… I am giving him a chance to redeem himself.”

His heart was beating frantically in his ribcage, telling him “you lost” over and over again. 

She squeezed his hand then, but the gesture felt condescending, and he considered ripping it away from her. But then Valeana pulled it to her lips and kissed his fingers tenderly, and he was back to putty in her hands. 

“I have not made a decision… My heart is hopelessly torn.”

Aegon felt that awash of relief again, this time the tides brought hope that filled his lungs, making it easier for him to breathe. “Don’t make a decision yet,” he watched her mouth as he moved his fingers so he was now holding onto her chin, thumb framing the lines of her lips. “I want my own chance, a fair shot. Please, Valeana, you said you would make it up to me all those days ago…This is all I want from you. A chance to win your hand.” 

He knew the answer before she said it, by the way she tilted her chin into the palm of his hand. There was still a sorrowful look in her eyes, and perhaps he didn’t entirely understand it, but he sympathized that she was truly of two different minds, trapped between an old love and the possibility of a new one. And… whatever the hells was going on with Jace. 

“Alright, Egg… Don’t let me regret it.”

Aegon grinned, “I’ll try not to, Crab Cake.”

Goblets clinked together and they were drained along with bits of bread, cheese, and meat. With the tense introduction of his motives gone, the evening was eased into a comfortable conversation about funny moments of their shared childhood, to more recent moments they shared together. The first carafe of wine was drained; a Reach vintage, provided by his co-conspirator and his sole supporter, Catelyn Redwyne. 

They now laid on their backs, faces flushed and minds a bit light and heavy at the same time. Valeana was popping grapes in her mouth, and Aegon was trying to make out constellations, but his vision couldn’t quite focus on them. 

“I wish I was a fly on that wall,” Aegon chuckled, the creases of his grin reaching his eyes.

“No, you were a wasp in my skirt that was causing me an immense amount of stress,” The humour in her tone told him that there were no hard feelings over the whole closet fiasco. Which felt like it happened ages ago; it was a bizarre feeling realizing that it led them to where they are now. “Why did you have to bite me?”

Aegon laughed loudly, his eyes trained to the sky, not at all aware that she had rolled her head to look at him. 

“I could not help myself, you looked delicious under there. I was a famished orphan, presented with a slice of warm cherry pie. I needed a nibble,” he shook his head, and then turned it just when she turned away from him, hands over her face. 

“Oh gods,” she laughed despite herself. 

From this angle, he had the perfect view of her chest. Her robes had loosened, creatina a wide V gap at her bosom, exposing her chemise underneath. In the firelight, he could make out the shape of her mounds through the light white fabric, including the small shadow of a beaded nipple underneath. The weight of her breasts sagged against her ribcage, falling just a bit to the side that when her arms folded, they pressed together, and he could see the depth of her cleavage. 

He bit his bottom lip, starting to feel the stir in his loins. His hand twitched and flexed, desperately trying to withhold back its nature to drive into his breeches. Seven Hells, why does she make him so hard? It isn’t the first time he’s seen breasts; he’s seen all sizes, shapes, some aged, some lopsided, some he nursed on like a newborn babe. Aegon was a young man who lived three lifetimes of depravity, and yet he is now reduced to a simpering boy on the cusp of manhood, desperate to see a tit. 

Then Valeana had to open her mouth and ask a question that did not help his present situation. 

“Do… Do you really have to… pleasure yourself after every interaction you have with me?”

His mind went blank, “What?”

“At the ball… you told me while we were dancing,” she cleared her throat as her voice lowered, as if quoting him verbatim would summon the ghost of Septa Jeyne. “That after every interaction we share, you have to find a corner to… fuck your hand.” 

“Ah,” Whipping his head back to the sky, he adjusted his legs by bending and crossing them in an attempt to shield his problem. Clearing his throat, Aegon nods his head, whether she sees him or not. She did, now that her head was rolled back to the side, looking at him, looking at the peaked fabric he was failing to conceal. “Yes, as embarrassing as it is to admit it. Even talking with you gets him all needy, and wanting for attention.”

If he were looking at her, he would’ve seen how her chest swelled and lowered with the laboured breathing of a woman overpowered by her wanton curiosity. A virgin who’s desire was like a new, unused candle, and she was willing to let him strike the flint to light it. 

“Like right now?” 

Her question took him off guard in more ways than one. Her tentative boldness that likely was spurred by the help of Catelyn’s strong wine (gods bless her), and Aegon’s shock of embarrassment from being caught. It was quite uncharacteristic of him; the flirt that he was, would have immediately taken the bait. Instead, the fool sat up and pulled a pillow over his crotch in shame. 

“You noticed, have you?” He gave a nervous laugh. There was a beat of silence where his mind yelled and berated him for allowing his prick to ruin the moment. This would surely not go well in his favour. Now Valeana would think him simply as a dog, with nothing on his mind other than to get his dick wet–

“Can…Can I help?” 

Aegon could have cummed right then and there. 

His head whipped in her direction; she was sitting up as well, her left leg bent up, enough for him to see the prosthetic, enough for him to see the outline of her thigh through her shift and the dark harnesses around it. Valeana’s gaze had a misty look about them, and Aegon realized it was because her pupils were dilated as they flickered from his face and down to his growing need for her. 

He decided to chuckle nervously again, wondering if she was joking, almost praying that she was. “Mayhaps we should call it a night. You are forgetting yourself, Crab Cake.”

“I’m not,” was her immediate reply. “I’m… I’m curious. And I want to see… I want to try.”

“Are you serious with me?” His eyes searched hers, trying to find any indication of a prank, one that he likely deserved after all those years of torment he bestowed upon her. But there wasn’t any. He saw curiosity, as she said, and he saw something else entirely. 

Hunger. She had hungry eyes. 

“If you do not need my help, Aegon, I can leave for five minutes–” she made a move to leave, but he caught her sleeve. 

“Oh, I need your help,” he allowed himself to grin, his tongue running over his bottom lip like a salivating dog. “Desperately.” 

Even in the night, dim with the orange glow of the braziers and contrasted by a deep blue hue of the ocean, Aegon could make out the pink blooms staining her cheeks. Like a shy little doe, he coaxed her with his hand to come closer, and she crawled to his side. 

Aegon laid against the stone wall behind them, a cushion at the small of his back and his goblet long forgotten. Valeana sat on her knees, her hands balancing her sides as she eyed his clothed erection, and he watched her closely, waiting for any indication of doubt. 

“You can back out anytime you want to, darling,” he whispered, his fingers moving down to the laces of his breeches, his legs spreading a bit out of instinct. “It will be painful for me, but I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.” 

Val looked up at him with a curious expression, “Painful?”

He smiled and hummed, “It can be when I do not get release, but… You needn’t worry about that.” His eyes dipped down to his crotch, where the laces had come loose. Aegon gave a soft groan when he was finally freed, heavy in his hand and already weeping. 

Valeana’s mouth popped open and her breathing had laboured. He kept his eyes on her intently, waiting for her to change her mind, but all she did was stare and adjust herself next to him. Her thighs pressed together, and her hands balled into fists atop them. 

Aegon gave himself three strokes with his left hand before gently grasping her wrist with his right, “Here let me help you.” 

She let him take her hand, but instead of bringing it straight to his middle, he brought it up to his lips and kissed her palm reassuringly. Val blinked at him shyly, her teeth kneading the flesh of her bottom lip, the same lip that curled at the ends in a sheepish smile. With her hand in his, Aegon brought it down to his throbbing cock and wrapped her fingers around its girth. They both gasped at the contact. 

He could feel the trembling of her hand beneath his, “Do you want to stop?”

Valeana shook her head immediately, “No, no, I just– I don’t know what I’m doing.” 

Aegon ran his tongue over his bottom lip and nodded, “It’s alright. I’ll help you, my darling. Here, start by stroking up and down– Ugh, that’s it… Not too tightly. Mmm, yes, yes…”

His eyes fluttered closed for a moment, keeping his palm on hers to guide the slow, languid strokes. Aegon could start to feel her confidence after a minute, he was barely moving his wrist with her. Valeana found her rhythm, but that wasn’t enough for Aegon. 

“Spit on it,” he ordered with a rumble of his chest. Val’s response was a hum of confusion, her strokes halting for a moment. “Spit on it, Val. On the tip, it will help.” 

Valeana did not question it despite her tentativeness and coyness. She leaned over him, her nose less than a foot away from the reddened helmet of his cock. He could so easily just take his hand and push her head down, and her lips would be upon it. It took every muscle in his body to prevent him from doing so, especially when her lips pouted and a large droplet of saliva dropped down onto him. His dick twitched, and he groaned. 

He no longer needed to guide her hand. With him being decently lubricated, her strokes became faster, more confident. Aegon’s back arched when he gave a soft whimper, “Not so fast.” 

“Am I hurting you?” Her question was so soft and sweet. 

“No, no, I just– I don’t want to cum just yet,” he opened his eyes and looked at her through a hooded gaze. “Slower… Use your thumb on the tip– fuck, yes, like that. Fuuucking hells, Valeana, you’re a natural.” 

His praise emboldened her, excited her, enticed a rumbly moan from her chest that immediately caught his attention. Aegon has been around enough aroused women in his days to recognize one in physical need. He reached out and placed a hand on her thigh, his fingers curled around the fabric of her chemise, which was now fully exposed. At some point the belt of her robe had loosened, and it pooled behind her like a cape. 

Valeana startled under his touch, her strokes stopping when she looked at him, “Aegon…”

“Let me return the favour,” his plea was soft, his fingers were not when they started to tug at the fabric that shielded her vanity from him. “I’ll make you feel so good, I swear…” 

Aegon must have made a mistake, because she retracted from him, hands hugging her stomach, hiding herself from him. In his panic, his body went stiff as he sat up to immediately apologize. For what, he wasn’t sure, but now she looked incredibly insecure. Perhaps he tried to breach a boundary. 

“I’m sorry, Crab Cake, I didn’t mean– Please don’t stop, you felt so good…”

She nodded, giving him a faint smile, “I’m just not ready…for that, right now. But I don’t want to stop.” 

His smile was grateful, it was full of relief. Aegon planted a kiss on her shoulder, “I understand, darling. Hm…” he trailed off as he got an idea, birthed from the need to feel her as much as possible, in ways she would allow him. “Sit on my leg.”

Her brow furrowed, “Why?”

“Trust me,” impatiently he took her by the waist and pulled her onto him, prying her legs apart when her body moved over his. Now Valeana sat upon his thigh, the skirt of her chemise pooling around her legs as her bare cunt was on him. Well, almost bare. With his hands still on her hips, he could feel the outline of cotton shorts underneath. 

Valeana looked down at him, all wide eyed and innocent. He smiled at her like a fox to a rabbit, his fingers kneaded the supple flesh of her hips through the muslin. Then, Aegon took her hand and brought it to her own mouth. 

“Spit again,” his words were gentle, his eyes were dark. Valeana obeyed; her cheeks twitched as she gathered the saliva onto her pallet and deposited it into her palm. Aegon guided it back to his cock, which twitched in anticipation when her warm velvety touch enveloped it again. “Good girl,” he moaned through pouty lips. 

Val’s breath hitched in her throat at the praise. Her eagerness to please him was evident at her enthusiastic strokes, now pulling on his muscle from base to tip, using beads of his pre-ejaculate as more lubricant. Her thumb painted the head with it, moving along the crease, feeling every ridge and vein, drinking up every moan and groan that came from him. 

She hadn’t realized it, not until Aegon’s fingers dug into her hip, but she was grinding on his thigh. The thin seam of her cotton shorts was too loose to keep in place, and with every movement of her hips, the more it migrated off to the side. Her pearl was now flushed against the rough fabric of his breeches, making her core stir with heat, like a volcano about to erupt. 

“Mmm, does that feel good, my darling?” His nose hovered over her neck before he planted kisses. Her response was a meek “mhm” with her teeth digging into her bottom lip. “Good. Your hand feels fantastic, I can only imagine other parts of you…” 

After he said this, his hands pawed up her sides until they reached her shoulders. Aegon’s lips had never left her neck and sternum, peppering them with open mouthed kisses and licking her skin to savour every salty taste of her. His fingers curled around the neckline of her robe and chemise, yanking it down over her shoulders. 

“A-Aegon,” her plea might have been an attempt to stop him, but it was poorly communicated through a pleasured whine. Her hips did not stop, her hand did not cease, but her free one went to grab his elbow. 

“Please,” he whined into her clavicle. “Please. I am so close… I want to cum with your tits in my face.” Aegon’s hands pawed and gripped at her body in heady need. He was so desperate to strip her down naked, but he would settle for just her breasts. Always there on display, so close yet out of reach. Even pressed up against his clavicle, they were soft and inviting, he could see himself suffocating between them. A perfect way to die, next to having his nose buried in her cunt with her thighs crushing his skull. 

Aegon whimpered when she unlatched her grip on his cock, but her movements spoke to her motivations. He pulled away from her neck and watched her with baited breath and famished eyes as she snaked her arms out of the red robe, and then started to unlace the front of her gown. With slow, methodical movements, Valeana tucked her arms through her sleeves and pulled them out through the neck of the chemise, effectively pulling it over her ample chest and bunching it around her waist. 

“Maiden, Mother, and Crone,” Aegon groaned at the sight. Soft and pale, like white silk, her mounds glowed under the firelight. Her areolas were wide, light pink in colour, and her nipples were small pebbles nesting in the middle. There were splotches of yellow here and there, on her right areola, on her left breast, all evidence of his brother’s earlier expedition. The sight of it caused a rush of possessiveness in him, his lust for Valeana mixing with his desire to beat his brother. His lips and hands were upon her in an instant, desperate to erase traces of Aemond from her skin. 

“Ae-gon!” She gasped his name, and he moaned in return. 

Aegon gripped her hand and brought it back to his cock, wrapping her fingers around his girth and helped her resume her strokes, harder, and faster than before. His lips were bruising as he found one of her nipples and latched onto him. Taking both of his hands, he kneaded her breasts, pushing them together as Aegon’s tongue lapped up the plush flesh. 

His ministrations were not gentle, but not unwelcome, as evidenced from Valeana’s series of licentious whines and the vigor of her hips as they bucked against his thigh. Her hand worked him desperately, her fingers moving along the rim of his helmet, collecting pearls of seed to coat the sensitive flesh underneath. Her curious hand moved southward, finding the soft pouch of his stones, and testing the feel of it between her little fingers. 

“Ah-uh!” Aegon’s hipped buck forward, then he gave a soft laugh, “Oh, Valeana, you vivacious little creature.” He buried his nose in the valley of her breasts and gave a soft moan as she massaged his family jewels, which were tight and sensitive underneath the soft skin. 

He felt her cheek upon the top of his head. Her voice came to him, soft and coy, a sweet mask to hide her newly debauched mind, “Does that feel good?”

“Ohh, you have no fucking idea,” his chuckle came out like a growl. With a moan he captured a nipple in his mouth, biting it softly between his front teeth, and making her squeal. “Stroke me, love. I’m almost there…” 

Her hand found his cock again, the muscle flexing in her grip as she moved it from tip to base, collecting as many pearly tears as she could to make her strokes wet and seamless. Aegon began rutting into her hand, increasing the pace, which spurreed her to do the same with her hips. 

“Fffuck,” He growled into her chest. His hands roamed all over her body, gripping and pinching at every curve and roll he could find. His mouth found another nipple, sucking onto it with a long groan. Aegon’s arms pulled her snugly to his body, one splayed against her back, and the other one roaming over the curve of her arse, and gripping a cheek possessively. His fingers dug through the fat of her rear, grazing the puckered hole hidden beneath the prison of her clothes. 

“Y’so bloody gorgeous, Valeana. I wanna fuck you so fucking bad,” Aegon groaned into the meat of her breast. “‘M gonna… Fuck, I’m almost– Ahh!”

The built up was immense. His stones tightened and the base of his cock tingled at the sensation of his seed. Her fingers coiled tightly under the helmet, sending him over the ledge. A rush of pleasured release overtook him, shuddering his body as ropes of his spend shot out and coated her hand and leg. Valeana still stroked him through it, the good little girl that she was, but he was getting sensitive, and it became borderline torturous. 

Aegon’s hand shot out to grip her wrist to stop her, “Ooh, love…Y’can’t empty me any further.” His mind was blank with ecstasy and exhaustion, not being able to do anything other than lay his face between her breasts and try to breathe. 

When he at last lifted his heavy head, she was looking at the pearlescent seed all over fingers. Aegon wondered if this was the first time she has ever seen a man ejaculate – or a man, in general. The thought bolstered his ego, of course. Now he truly had something Aemond did not have. 

Not being able to contain his grin of victory, he nuzzled his nose into the crook of her neck, and planted gratified kisses along the junction next to her shoulder. But she was quiet, a little too quiet for his liking, and the seeds of doubt started to take root.

Aegon lifted his head to look at her, his brow slightly knitted, “Do you regret it?”

Valeana turned to him, a small sheepish smile on her swollen lips. She’d likely been kneading them with her teeth the entire time, trying to stifle her moans as if anyone were able to hear them out there. 

“No,” she shook her head. “I actually… Liked it a lot.” 

A slow grin split his face. Her confession was enough to get him hard again, “Well, we can do it as many times as you like, Crab Cake. I’ll just have to let poor Hildy know that she can retire from my services.”

Valeana snorted adorably, then quickly covered her mouth, “Oh, gods, Aegon, my fingers will go nowhere near your bum.”

He mock pouted, “A pity. I have a nice bum, and you have such soft fingers.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN SNEAK PEAK Heat bloomed at her cheeks, “He was trying to flee my sister, and pulled me into a closet as his captive. He was a nuisance, that is all. And because I know this will fill you with joy, I beat him with a broomstick afterwards.”  Jace grins broadly, “You are right, that does fill me with joy.” He then clears his throat, “And your courtship with him… is that conjecture too, or…? Images of Aegon’s cock in her palm flashed in her mind.  “No,” she forced herself to say. “That… is true.”  He stared at her, face full of incredulity, “I was hoping that to be untrue. Valeana, why on earth would you be courting Aegon, of all people? He has not changed, at all.” “It is a long and complicated story,” she sighed, “One I am tired of explaining.”  Jace was unconvinced, though. No matter the reasons, whether they were rational or not, he was determined to convince her otherwise.  “You remember how Aemond was the only one amongst us that did not have a dragon?” Valeana stared at him for a beat, “...yes. And you lot teased him relentlessly for it.” “Aegon the most, if you recall,” Jace briefly glanced at her before returning his eyes to the path.

Notes: 6000 words dedicated to a hand job. That has to be the first, right? Don't worry, Aemond's gets his whole chapter too, and it's a chonky girl. Also shout out Bridgerton, XD The Knight and I was obvie supposed to be The Duke and I if y'all didn't catch that. Right, anyway, so my struggle is still going on, but I'm trying. Not liking how close the updates are getting to my current writing spot. But I'm hoping I can catch up soon. I'm trucking on, though, and I'm hoping I can get a chapter done before the end of this week. And if anyone missed it, if you're interested, check out my Fem!Aegon x Aemond one shot: Love Is With Your Brother.

Tag: @queen-of-elves, @keylin1730, @anakilusmos, @weepingfashionwritingplaid, @sugutoad, @desireangel, @t0biasparabatai

( if you wish to be tagged for this story, just give me a reply! )

Please do not re post, redistribute or plagiarize my work. The only other place this story is posted on is ao3 under the same username.

[thetypedwriter]

The Grandest Game Book Review

The Grandest Game Book Review by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I feel like I’m writing about Jennifer Lynn Barnes constantly. 

Thankfully, this is not a case of diminishing returns. 

In fact, this might be Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ best novel yet, which is astounding to me. 

The Grandest Game is now the…fifth book in the Inheritance Games series which is insane, but it’s also the first installment in a spinoff series.

So related but not a direct sequel, although you would be lacking in a significant amount of understanding if you had not read the first four books of the Inheritance Games.

At this point, Jennifer Lynn Barnes is becoming the new Cassandra Clare.

But back to The Grandest Game, one of the key differences is instead of focusing on Avery and the Hawthorne brothers, this novel focuses on other players that have either been invited to play or won themselves a nomination. 

The Grandest Game itself is not that noteworthy, but the plot essentially boils down to this: Avery has set up a competition game where the prize money is $26 million.

Most of the game includes the players getting involuntarily put into teams and trying to solve a series of riddles and puzzles while attempting escape-room antics. 

Avery and the Hawthrone brothers are in the novel, but they’re in the periphery and largely unimportant other than the history they have with the players and the fact that they have masterminded the game. 

However, I can not emphasize enough how much better the book is by not focusing on them. Avery was never much more than a Mary-Sue from the get go and the Hawthorne brothers were all largely one-dimensional cliches.

The side characters who take center stage in this novel are a huge improvement, personality and interest wise. 

Rohan we know from the last book, The Brother Hawthorne, and his POV is fascinating. I’ve always had a soft spot for characters who are selfish and conniving, two characteristics Rohan has in droves. 

However, he also has a good motivation for playing the Grandest Game—getting money to take over the Devil’s Mercy, a secret club that he’s been a part of since he was a child. His penchant for winning always makes his POV fun to read. 

His relationship with Savannah, while predictable, was also really charming. I love relationships that are fierce and fiery, have cat-and-mouse banter, and are between two very stubborn people who don’t want to admit defeat. Every chapter with them working as a team was titillating. 

The POV I enjoyed the most was Gigi’s. Her fun, bubbly personality and bright way of connecting with people and seeing the world was fresh, fun, and authentic.

Her interactions with Knox and Brady were hilarious, but also strangely deep and intriguing, as they were both new characters with a sordid and complicated past with each other. 

Gigi’s intellect shone through while others constantly underestimated her, a plot point that never got old. Gigi trying to piece together what happened with Knox and Brady, while at the same time learning she’s bugged and trying to untangle the larger mystery of who’s on the island, was the most riveting part of the story for me. 

The last POV was for a character named Lyra Kane. Essentially, she’s Avery 2.0. I disliked her POV the most, especially as her motivation to win–saving her childhood home—while nice, was boring.

She also had the hackneyed story arc of being attracted to Grayson Hawthorne while incessantly telling herself to stay away from him (without success). 

The most interesting part of this POV was Grayson’s and Lyra’s interaction with their third teammate, Odette, an older woman who was once involved with Tobias Hawthorne.

I liked Odette’s backstory and the diversity of having an older character, but she was too cryptic throughout the whole novel and then decided to give up her spot at the end, a choice that riddled me with frustration and made her character dip in the favorite department. 

That being said, these three POV’s were still a huge improvement from the banality of Avery’s mind and the vapid love triangle she found herself in of the previous books. 

Instead, we have two interesting perspectives (plus Lyra) to carry this new spinoff series forward, a journey I am wholeheartedly ready to embark on.

Plus, all the riddles are a lot of fun to try and piece together as a reader. It may not be the most complicated of plots, but it’s entertaining and the characters propel it forward with their intersecting relationships and personal motivations. 

Recommendation: The best Jennifer Lynn Barnes novel yet. Read it and try to solve as many of the puzzles as you can (I got two of them!).

Score: 8/10

[districtunrest]

10 First Lines Challenge

rules: share the first lines of ten of your latest fanfics (or up to if you have fewer) and tag ten people! 

tagged by @thetwinandpinleftbehind <333

remembering the last time I was tagged for this (x) where I completely misread the rules and posted my last lines instead LOL

I'll get it right this time... I'll get it right this time.

tho I'm including chapters this time around, since those count as the latest fic I've posted 💁🏻‍♀️

SOO Chapter 28: Faring Well

She's able to pack, leaving the district this time around.

Record Review

Triage Note, signed by Nurse Alara - Pt presented to triage with complaints of facial lacerations and trauma to the left eye. Pt stated, "Doesn't matter how it happened." Pt reported he was sent here upon arrival to the Hangar via hovercraft.

SOO Chapter 27: Second Fiddle

With November comes the first morning frost, the first election, and the first Harvest Festival as a free people.

SOO Chapter 26: To and From

Hazelle wakes well before her children plan on her to. From her place in bed, she can hear them in the hallway, holding their breath as they creep past her bedroom door and rustle down the stairs. Soon enough, there's the clamor of cupboard doors and pans, the worst of which are echoed by shushing, until all she hears is the high sizzle of something frying.

SOO Chapter 25: For Whose Sake

By late September, autumn has only just begun to ignite the hills with gold. From any window, Haymitch can see at least one tree amongst many begin to turn. Everywhere else is still lush and green as summer stretches languid over its precipice, delaying the inevitable. Haymitch isn't complaining; it's been the most temperate summer in years. What that entails for winter, though, is anybody's guess.

SOO Chapter 24: The Duet

The smoke clears but stays in a way. A quiet uneasiness settles over the land in its place.

SOO Chapter 23: Man of Ashes

Dusk falls in a deep, purplish blue that matches the frosting on the platter in the kitchen sink. Hazelle had folded in droplets of dye that Peeta pipetted onto the frosting until such a color came together. Though she hadn't said so at the time, mindful as she was not to deflate the mixture, it reminded her of the distant mountain ridges in daylight.

SOO Chapter 22: All in Good Time

Haymitch yawns the entire way over to next door. Even with the recent changes he's made to improve his sleeping, he's not any more of a morning person for it.

stronger than her story (once she's lost the plot)

The doctor gives her a too-perfect grin and holds up the mirror. He tells her to smile.

SOO Chapter 21: Making Do

As August rolls into the valley on scraggy clouds, the train brings a worn, sage green trunk that's tagged Hazelle Hawthorne, District 12 with a return address from somewhere in the Capitol.

TAGGING ANY FOLLOWER/MUTUAL WHO WANTS TO THAT READ THIS FAR 🫶🏻

[bokunobirthdays]

She Brought the Magic Back - Masterpost! ON HIATUS (5/6)

I'm going to leave this as my pinned post for your reading convenience (this will also help me with posting ngl). AO3 LINK AND DESCRIPTION AFTER THE READ MORE

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26 Part 27 Part 28 Part 29 Part 30 Part 31 Part 32

She Brought the Magic Back (5570 words) by bokunobirthdays Chapters: 13/? Fandom: 逆転裁判 | Gyakuten Saiban | Ace Attorney Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Mitsurugi Reiji | Miles Edgeworth/Naruhodou Ryuuichi | Phoenix Wright, Karuma Mei | Franziska von Karma & Mitsurugi Reiji | Miles Edgeworth, Naruhodou Minuki | Trucy Wright & Naruhodou Ryuuichi | Phoenix Wright, Mitsurugi Reiji | Miles Edgeworth & Naruhodou Minuki | Trucy Wright, Miles Edgeworth & Phoenix Wright & Trucy Wright Characters: Naruhodou Ryuuichi | Phoenix Wright, Naruhodou Minuki | Trucy Wright, Karuma Mei | Franziska von Karma, Ayasato Mayoi | Maya Fey, Houzuki Akane | Ema Skye, Ayasato Harumi | Pearl Fey, Itonokogiri Keisuke | Dick Gumshoe Additional Tags: Gyakuten Saiban | Ace Attorney Series Spoilers, Gyakuten Saiban 4 | Apollo Justice Spoilers, Post-Gyakuten Saiban 3 | Trials & Tribulations, Pre-Gyakuten Saiban 4 | Apollo Justice, Young Trucy Wright, Disbarred Phoenix Wright, Adoption, Fluff, Domestic Fluff, Screenplay/Script Format, Mentioned Kay Faraday, Mentioned Dahlia Hawthorne, Mentioned Iris (Gyakuten Saiban), Past Dahlia Hawthorne/Phoenix Wright, Past Iris/Phoenix Wright, Angst, Fluff and Angst, Tea Parties Summary: Takes place starting immediately after Zak Gramarye's trial on the first night Phoenix takes Trucy home. It will follow my interpretation of the events during the 7-year gap between T&T and AJ. Primarily Wrightworth, but there will be some toxic Krisnix eventually. Most of the events center around Trucy's adoption, but we'll branch out to other character interactions in the future. I'll add tags as they become relevant. Written in screenplay format! Admittedly, it is an altered screenplay format to better accommodate the fanfic-reading experience, but I'm practicing my screenplay writing and I thought, "What better way to practice than to write fanfic of my favorite lawyers!" Chapter names are based on how they were uploaded to Tumblr.

[mshexley]

Favorite Women in Gaming

Day 26 - Dahlia Hawthorne (Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations)

So much about the final chapter of Trials and Tribulations used to haunt me when I was younger. Like the imagery, the music, Maya being missing, it was all working to unsettle me.

And right at the center was none other than Dahlia Hawthorne. Her name has that same currency as "DL-6" being named dropped. Dahlia loomed over the entire narrative of TaT. Her presence holds so much weight.

From Phoenix's beginnings, to the rival for that game, to more insight on Mia as a lawyer. Most importantly, she stands as a figure that highlights the tragedy of the Fey family.

Between both Misty and Morgan, learning that there was a big family there before it was broken apart by constant tragedy is heartbreaking.

Pearl missing out on meeting and forming bonds with her older sisters,

The betrayal both Mia and Maya felt when they learned about Morgan’s intentions.

Maya finally unknowingly reuniting with her mother, only for her mother to be murdered.

Also one of the only remaining human connections to her sister she had outside of Phoenix, being locked up for it even if he was just trying to protect her.

Morgan also, not only being abandoned by her first husband for not inheriting the clan but also having her two children ripped away from her, only for that same husband to be perfectly fine with dumping one of them at a temple while showing no actual love to the one he kept.

Morgan being the orchestrater of attempting to frame Maya first and then trying to kill her second.

Lying and saying that it was for Pearl’s sake when Pearl clearly wouldn’t have wanted ANYTHING to happen to Maya, someone who has filled the role of older sister for her.All the while, Dahlia finally reunites with the mother she was ripped away from only for that mother to only see her as a tool.

Even Iris admits that Dahlia never really had a chance. Because if she was given a chance, she would've turned out better. Dahlia's track record of crimes paints the image of someone who's not actually cut out for this type of life.

Despite the destruction she leaves in her wake, the trail never actually goes cold on her and there's always a loose end. She always jumps the gun to try and cover her tracks and then when she does, she just leaves behind a bigger trail with people being more determined to make her face justice like Mia.

Dahlia’s haunting but not because she herself is actually unsettling but because of how much destruction she left in her wake and just how messy it was.

She’s killed people, she’s scarred people, she’s lied to people and she has nothing to show for it for herself.

Much like her mother, if things just worked out better, she probably would’ve been fine.

Unfortunately for her, she’s truly her mother’s daughter.

Next ➡

[eiramew]

February Ficlet Challenge 2025

Masterpost for my participation to @februaryficletchallenge

Chapter 1   ||  Buckle up / Survive | Maya/Chioma  Chapter 2   ||  Everyone comfortable? / Trapped | Savathûn/Mara Chapter 3   ||  Park / Nonverbal communication  | Eris/Ikora  Chapter 4   ||  Highway / Pirate AU | Eido & Eramis Chapter 5   ||  Pack / Accidental marriage | Maya/Chioma Chapter 6   ||  Pay the toll / Sedoretu AU | Lakshmi-2 & Mithrax  Chapter 7   ||  Pit stop / Secret agent AU | Hawthorne/Amanda Chapter 8   ||  Breakdown / Soulmates AU | Lakshmi-2/Ikora Chapter 9   ||  Deer in the headlights / Picnic | Savathûn/Ikora Chapter 10 ||  Playlist / Making your own traditions | Lakshmi-2/Ikora Chapter 11  ||  Places to go / Fairytale AU | Mara/Petra Chapter 12 ||  Snack / Historical | Sathona & Xi Ro & Aurash Chapter 13 ||  Wish you were here / Dragon | Maya & Maya's mother Chapter 14 ||  Attraction / Bodyswap | Savathûn/Eris Chapter 15 ||  Shoulder / Disdain | Sloane/Xivu Arath Chapter 16 ||  [blank] is my copilot / Poetic | Xivu Arath Chapter 17 ||  Map / Oath | Drifter/Eris Chapter 18 ||  Tire / Fake dating | Maya/Chioma Chapter 19 ||  Off Course / Longest Tuesday ever | Sathona & Xi Ro Chapter 20 ||  Souvenir / Rivalry | Eris/Toland Chapter 21 ||  Crossing a border / Superpowers AU | Savathûn/Rhulk Chapter 22 ||  Museum / Immortality | Savathûn/Ikora Chapter 23 ||  Oddity / Band AU | Šimmumah & Luzaku Chapter 24 ||  Scenic route / Vampire AU | Sloane & Drifter Chapter 25 ||  Horizon / Crossover AU | Maya/Chioma Chapter 26 ||  Backseat driver / Decorate | Caiatl & Zavala Chapter 27 ||  Stay in your lane / Scars | Ikora/F!Guardian (Tresh) Chapter 28 ||  Hole in the wall / Time loop AU | Lakshmi-2/Ikora

[dhr-ao3]

Hawthorne

Hawthorne https://ift.tt/B4ij6e0 by SaltyVeruca “Granger,” He says this time in warning, his heart is in his throat now. What started as nervousness was quickly simmering into a muted misplaced rage over her stupidity. “Careful Malfoy, you might sound like you care about what happens to me.” She spins around slowly, her arms out as if she’s daring the wind to take her. *** Or I decided to write something where they were all spoiiled rich kids, and Voldemort never happened. Rape/Non Con is not between Draco and Hermione   J.K. Rowling owns these characters....but some things should have been canon and thats all I'll say about that. Words: 5286, Chapters: 2/?, Language: English Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling Rating: Explicit Warnings: Rape/Non-Con, Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: F/M Characters: Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Cormac McLaggen, Astoria Greengrass, Harry Potter, Ginny Weasley, Lavender Brown, Ron Weasley, Theodore Nott, Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, Luna Lovegood Relationships: Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger/Cormac McLaggen, Astoria Greengrass/Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter/Ginny Weasley, Lavender Brown/Ron Weasley Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Alternate Universe - No Voldemort, Alternate Universe - College/University, trust fund babies, Hermione Granger is Rich, Pureblood Culture (Harry Potter), Pureblood Society (Harry Potter), Pureblood Politics (Harry Potter), Rape/Non-con Elements, Sexual Abuse, Cheating, Domestic Violence, Physical Abuse, Emotional Manipulation, Emotional/Psychological Abuse, Sex as Weapon, Drug Use, Recreational Drug Use, Imperio | Imperius Curse (Harry Potter), Slytherin Harry Potter, Muggle London, No Prophecy | Sybill Trelawney Does Not Make A Prophecy About Harry Potter and Voldemort, Unforgivable Curses (Harry Potter), magic as weapon, References to Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet References, Taylor Swift References, Song: The Prophecy (Taylor Swift), Not Beta Read, POV Draco Malfoy, POV Hermione Granger, POV Theodore Nott, POV Pansy Parkinson, POV Ginny Weasley, Draco Malfoy & Pansy Parkinson Friendship, Hermione Granger & Theodore Nott Friendship, Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, Dubious Consent, Morally Grey Draco Malfoy, Protective Draco Malfoy, Possessive Draco Malfoy, HEA but it may hurt, BAMF Pansy Parkinson, Astoria Greengrass Bashing, BAMF Luna Lovegood, BAMF Ginny Weasley, BAMF Lavender Brown, Suicidal Thoughts, Virgin Hermione Granger via AO3 works tagged 'Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy' https://ift.tt/6gr3c28 March 26, 2025 at 01:08AM

[call-jupiter]

chapter 26 is now up, and it’s far and away my favorite. the whole work may have stemmed from what is set to be chapters 31-35, but ever since i finished the full 40-chapter outline this one has been the one i looked forward to the most. i’m so pleased with it. i hope you all are as well !!

thank you so dearly as always. as excited as i was to write this chapter, i could not ever imagine getting this far in without you all continuing to support me for such a crazy long time. it’s so very appreciated <3

chapter 26: Hawthorn

https://archiveofourown.org/works/44042950/chapters/170768566

[captastra]

The collection of 19 fics I've written for Writer's Month 2023!

AO3 Series or full break down under the cut! Biggest shoutouts to @kourumi @poetikat and @kyber-infinitygems for all your support and assistance throughout this whole experience <3!

Day 1; Day 11

Suicide Squad: Recovery and Redemption (The Suicide Squad, Words: 5,492, Chapters: 2/?, Rating: T) (Chapter 2)

Living in a world with meta-humans hasn't stopped Renée Watts from doing what she does best, helping others as a nurse. But when she befriends one particular patient, she finds herself learning what it truly means help others. Rick Flag wasn't meant to live. Peacemaker had made sure of that back in Corto Maltese. But when he wakes up in a hospital months later, he finds himself left wondering: what will he do now? His sense of emptiness gets challenged when he befriends a nurse that shows him that there can still be purpose and recovery for him.

Day 2; Day 9; Day 15

Statesman: Four Roses (The Outer Worlds, Words: 10,214, Chapters: 3/?, Rating: T) (Chapter 2; Chapter 3)

Felix Millstone, aka Agent Whiskey of the Statesman agency, has devoted his life to taking down the underground criminal mastermind, Charles Rockwell. So when he is assigned a simple protection duty of a UDL scientist, Rhea Hawthorne, he feels all his hard work has been for naught. But as he comes to know Rhea, his secret plans to bring down Rockwell may come to harm his new companion.

Day 3; Day 10; Day 12; Day 27

A Beach Vacation (Bullet Train, Words: 3,776, Chapters: 4/4, Rating: T) (Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4)

Lily, Tangerine, and Lemon enjoy a beach vacation together.

Day 4; Day 19

I Don't Need Your Love (The Suicide Squad, Words: 2,707, Chapters 2/2, Rating: G) (Chapter 2)

Renée and Rick are faced with the reality of their world when Rick is called to lead another suicide mission by Amanda Waller.

Day 5

To New Beginnings (Mass Effect: Andromeda, Words: 2,543 Chapters: 1/1; Rating: G)

Kiara Ryder struggles to process what happened at the Eos Vault, despite the restart being a great success. A chance to chat with Kandros helps her realize she doesn't have to face her problems alone.

Day 6; Day 26; Day 29

Along the Right Path (Resident Evil; Words: 6,576; Chapters: 3/3; Rating: G) (Chapter 2; Chapter 3)

A recreational hike through Arklay Mountains takes a turn when Jill and her friends get lost, but a certain handsome park ranger comes to their rescue.

Day 7; Day 21

A Promise for Another Day (Haven; Words: 2,133, Chapters 2/2, Rating: G) (Chapter 2)

Duke attempts to surprise Paige with a promise to get away, but fate has other plans.

Day 8

Watermelon Candy (Z Nation; Words: 753; Chapters: 1/1; Rating: G)

Enjoying a rare moment together, Annie shares a sweet treat with 10k.

Day 13

Fanning Their Feelings (The Outer Worlds, Words: 2,164, Chapters 1/1, Rating G)

Mayor Odie supports Deputy Felix with his crush on the new schoolmarm, Miss Rhea. Only problem is he won't court her, so Odie decides a little meddling in their affairs will help matters along.

Day 14

By the Fireside (Baldur's Gate 3, Words: 716, Chapters 1/1, Rating: G)

Everlith and Gale's friendship starts to blossom on their first night at camp.

Day 16; Day 20

In You I Can Trust (Baldur's Gate 3, Words: 2,600, Chapters 2/2, Rating: G) (Chapter 2)

After revealing the truth of his magic absorption, Gale still worries about whether Everlith truly wants him to stay by her side. But a nighttime conversation shows just how much he is truly wanted.

Day 17

When Dreams Become Nightmares (The Suicide Squad, Words: 1,006, Chapters: 1/1, Rating: T)

What started out as a peaceful getaway for Rick with Renée turns into a nightmare when reality comes crashing down.

Day 18

A Nurturing Hand (Elden Ring, Words: 1,307, Chapters: 1/1, Rating: T)

The animal shelter Aisling works for rescues an extremely angry feral cat. With Malenia's help, and a lot of patience, their family gains a new member.

Day 22

An Enchanting Encounter (The Outer Worlds, Words: 2,008, Chapters: 1/1, Rating: G)

Becoming a wallflower at her own celebration, Rhea's evening takes a turn for the better when she encounters a mysterious winged figure.

Day 23; Day 30

Waiting Out the Storm (The Outer Worlds, Words: 3,352, Chapters 2/2, Rating: G) (Chapter 2)

A surprise thunderstorm offers Rhea and Felix a chance to learn more about each other.

Day 24

Stolen Kiss (Baldur's Gate 3, Words: 1,001, Chapters 1/1, Rating T)

Gale and Everlith steal a moment alone on their journey to Baldur's Gate.

Day 25

Just You and Me, Alone (The Suicide Squad, Words: 536, Chapters 1/1, Rating: T)

Rick and Renée get to go on the vacation they deserve.

Day 28

What Promise Awaits (Baldur's Gate 3, Words: 1,248, Chapters 1/1, Rating: G)

Gale Devrakis had accepted that his life was one of solitude and reflection. Being summoned to Elminister's tower promised a possible solution to his magical condition, and companionship from his new assistant, Everlith S'aer.

Day 31

The Light In The Darkness (Baldur's Gate 3, Words: 1,793, Chapters: 1/1, Rating: G)

Gale and the others attempt to enjoy an evening around the campfire while traversing towards Moonrise Towers. But even as darkness and evil surrounds them, Everlith reveals her feelings to Gale as Wyll supports their budding romance.

Taglist: @olliesaurus-rex @roofgeese @kyber-infinitygems @poetikat @confidentandgood @spaceratprodigy @darkfire1177 @jillvalentinesday @theelderhazelnut @shegetsburned @awhellstothejoe @oh-nostalgiaa @seliviawanders @thisisrigged4 @poisonedtruth @bitchesofostwick @transcaster @incognito-insomniac @kirjanikv6ilill @madparadoxum @gayafsatan @euryalex @mxanigel @eclecticwildflowers

[ao3feed-nevermoor]

You're worth more than what they say dear

You're worth more than what they say, dear https://ift.tt/mJAvrXF by Taluvi_does_stupid_things “Do you want to talk about it?” Miss Cheery asked attentively. Morrigan nodded, fidgeting with her pen: “I don’t know, Jupiter says not all Wundersmiths were evil,” Her voice shook. “But Onstalds book describes all these terrible things they did, and- and I can’t find a way any of these things could be good.” “That’s the key word. They did all of those terrible things. You’re not them Morrigan Crow. You weren’t born evil, and you sure won’t turn out to be!”   or: Morrigan is upset and frustrated wih herself and Onstald. Miss Cheery helps her with her homework and they talk. Words: 871, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Fandoms: Nevermoor Series - Jessica Townsend Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Morrigan Crow, Marina Cheery, Ezra Squall (mentioned), professor Onstald (mentioned) Relationships: Marina Cheery & Morrigan Crow Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Teacher-Student Relationship, Hawthorne is kinda ooc in this, i had to for ansgt' sake via AO3 works tagged 'Nevermoor Series - Jessica Townsend' https://ift.tt/GsjFB5d May 26, 2024 at 02:19PM

[ultramagicalternate]

ULTRAMagic Eon 1 Chapter 26

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Master Post - Patreon

The Singing Storm Tower was a bit busier than usual, which seemed to be the norm as of late. Ludwig and Rostislav were keen to listen in on the various conversations that passed by them, hearing all sorts of discussion about the Tower of Babel. The two were worried as they knew its appearance in The Unlight was still a year out, but that did not stop Rostislav’s paranoia from flaring up. Wandering around to find someone who could show them to Will, the two ran into Torunn Craddock. While she was preoccupied giving instructions to one of the stewards, she was not terribly busy at the moment.

Torunn was Weaver’s cousin and the leader of The Blades of Dunja, having earned the position for her efforts in spearheading the liberation of Shadowland from Milosh Proch. Originating from Universe-0Z, like Weaver she was quite different from the average person despite being human. She had orange skin and brown hair whose ends wisped up like calm fire. She was also quite muscular, owing to 0Z humans having the potential to become vastly stronger than other versions of humanity. She noticed the two men approaching and paused what she was doing to address them.

“Hey, the rest of the Future Squad!” she announced. “How are you guys doing today?”

“Hello, Torunn,” Ludwig replied. “We were just looking for Will as Blood wanted to check up on him, but got called away for guild business with Deimos.”

“Ah, that’s what I figured. I guess Will is still in the Nexus with Dunja and Aureolus, as no one has come out of there yet, aside from people delivering supplies to them.” She leaned over to consult with one of the stewards, then returned her attention to Ludwig and Rostislav. “Here, I can take you to go see them. Real quickly though, I couldn’t help but notice that Will feels a lot like Weaver from time to time. If I didn’t know any better I’d swear he’s Weaver’s universe-oh what was it? Oh yeah, 23! Universe-23 counterpart.”

Rostislav thought back to when he first met Will and nodded. “Yeah, now that I think about it and given the time we’ve spent with Weaver as of late. It’s not impossible, just look at Ludwig from Will’s universe…”

“Wahr, wahr,” Ludwig said with a nod.

Just as the three were about to head off to the Nexus entrance, a woman came hurrying up to them, nearly stumbling multiple times. She was a slightly messy woman who looked like she spent way too much time studying. Her long, dark blue hair was messy, her glasses were a tad crooked, and her odd military uniform was noticeably untidy. While hard to believe at first glance, this woman was Adriana Hawthorne, a member of the Blades of Dunja. Research and tactics were her strength and she had joined under bizarre circumstances.

“Torunn!” Adriana said with a stumble, narrowly avoiding falling over.

“What’s good, Adriana?” Torunn subtly shook her head as Adriana scrambled to organize her papers.

“My newest speculatory report on the Tower of Babel’s trajectory is ready.” She then handed her superior a messy folder stuffed with papers.

“Shoot, General Thornefield will want to see this pronto. And it’s good timing as Fyodor is visiting at the moment…” Torunn looked in the opposite direction, then back to the three. “Adriana? Can you take these two to the Nexus for me?”

“Yes Ma’am!” she replied with an eager salute. “Follow me, gentlemen!” Adriana then tripped over her laces, landing with a thud. This made the two wince a little.

“Adriana, please tie your shoes…” Torunn chided.

“On it, Ma’am!” she replied as she got up and began tying her laces. “I was so eager to deliver that report that I completely forgot…”

“Don’t worry, she’s harmless,” Torunn whispered to Ludwig with a chuckle. “See you guys later,” she said as she walked off.

Adriana brushed off her coat, adjusted her glasses, and stood up straight. “Alright, gentlemen. The Nexus Door is right this way… or was it this way? No, it was definitely this way!” she said as she began to walk.

“She’s always been like this?” Rostislav quietly questioned Ludwig.

“Pay attention to the glasses, Private,” he whispered back.

Despite her initial confusion, Adriana easily led the two to the Nexus Door. The means of opening it was a special password that Dunja had given to the royal court and the Blades… that Adriana was fumbling for some reason. Thankfully all of the Future Squad had also been given the password and Ludwig was able to help Adriana. Heading inside, Will was running around, casting spells with a dark-purple haired man while Dunja, Aureolus, and a green man watched. Initially Rostislav was a little disoriented by the Nexus and its physics, but he quickly got the hang of how the realm behaved.

“Your majesty!” Adriana called out. “Ludwig and Rostislav wish to see Will.”

“Ah, Adriana, boys, welcome,” Dunja replied.

“Your majesty,” Ludwig said with a bow.

“Hey, Dunja, Aureolus,” said Rostislav. “And… hey, Grass God! It’s been a bit.”

The Grass God shook both of their hands. “Rostislav, Ludwig-meeting you guys a bit early, but glad to hear I’m still hanging around in the future.”

“FINALLY,” Yale cried as he flew to Rostislav’s shoulder.

“Oh, there you are, Yale,” Rostislav replied. “Where have you been?”

“I came here to check on Will-but get me out of here! This place is eerie.”

Rostislav and the others laughed and chuckled. “Sure thing, buddy.”

“So how are things going with Will?” Ludwig inquired.

“Pretty good,” Aureolus answered. “Blood would be happy with his-hey, where’s Blood? I sensed him earlier…”

“Aqua World with Deimos, Drago, Desislav, and Tusk. Apparently the crew of The UST-ARC 3 are really starting to explore the surface of Aqua World.”

“Ah, I see. Here’s hoping Blood gets to visit soon.”

Dunja turned her attention to Will, then back to the others. “Things have been interesting as he’s been really taking to void magic…”

“Interesting is an understatement,” The Grass God added.

Before anything else could be said, Will prepared a massive, powerful spell that caused their area of the Nexus to tremble a bit. “NEZ, ROH, QUN, XHRA!” A gigantic, futuristic energy cannon appeared by his side that he pointed up towards the horizon and away from the group. “MEGA CANNON!” An enormous, destructive beam of energy shot forward, nearly blowing everyone back. Mads snapped his fingers, opening a portal into space for the roaring beam to exit into. Upon the beam ending, the cannon vanished and Will fell backwards. “Whoo, Hell yeah…” he said with a thumbs up as he laid on the Nexus floor. “Mads, where do you send it?”

“Oh, just a timeline that needed an enemy space station destroyed,” he said as he helped him up.

“Wait, Mads?” Adriana quietly noted.

“Wow…” Will was amazed, but also secretly concerned. “Oh, Ludwig, Rostislav! This is my void patron, The Undead God, but you can call him ‘Mads Sagan.’”

“SPECIALIST SAGAN!?” Adriana exclaimed, startling everyone else.

“Uh-oh, I’m in trouble,” Mads admitted with a laugh.

Adriana took off her glasses, revealing her piercing, amber eyes. Her hair straightened out and her uniform tidied itself up, a contrast from the clumsy persona everyone had been accustomed to. She marched right up to Mads and got in his face. “Mads! You visit me one time, vanish, and I find you here of all places!?”

“Good to see you too, Adriana…”

“Please tell me you know where Anton is because I know he’s running around the Cosmos proper at the moment.”

“Mm-hmm, yup.”

She felt her blood run cold for a second. “Re-really? Where?”

“Can’t say.”

“That’s an order, Sagan.” Mads shook his head. “Are you disobeying a direct order?!”

Mads nodded. “Yes, because I know things you don’t. Trust me, you’re going to need to stay in the dark just a little bit longer.”

Adriana gave him an incredulous look, dumbstruck by what she was hearing. “What the-did you talk to him or something?”

“Just the other day.” Mads could see Adriana’s confusion growing and cleared his throat. “Adriana, we have bigger things to worry about than Anton and The Reverse Serpent. And you’re about to figure out why Tereza was in The Requiem Cosmos in the first place.”

Adriana was quiet for a moment and sighed. “Can I at least get back into contact with ENCOM to tell them what I know?”

Mads’ smiled and handed her an ENCOM laptop. “Use this.”

“Thank you. So, um, how’s everyone doing back home?”

“Pretty good-Anton destroyed HQ and we had to fall back to The Ashen Necropolis, but we won in the end…”

“EXCUSE ME, WHAT!?!”

“You haven’t played Grave Requiem Overkill yet?” Mads was receiving the most baffled and panicked look from Adriana. “Oh, Adriana?”

“What?”

“You blew your cover…”

Adriana slowly looked over and noticed Dunja’s surprised expression. What was left of her confidence sank to the bottom of her feet as she realized the obvious. “My-my Queen, I-I can explain…”

“Well, dear, withholding information from me and Englehart like that is fairly serious, but… um, who are you exactly?”

After taking a second to compose herself, Adriana stood at attention. “Your majesty, I am Captain Adriana Hawthorne, tactician for The End of The World Combat Brigade, or ENCOM for short.”

Dunja nodded, taking it all in. She was unsure what to make of the ‘ENCOM’ association, but she had a feeling it was of grave importance. “Alright then, fair enough. I mean, I don’t mind having a decorated officer under my command. Would ENCOM be on our side, Mads?” He also nodded. “We’ll have to talk about this later, Adriana.”

“Of course, my queen,” she replied.

The Grass God noticed Will’s confusion and patted him on the shoulder. “And now you understand why we were leery about him…”

“Duly noted, Grassy…” Will replied. “Captain Hawthorne, I am Private William Ford of The Liger Brigade, first class in line for a promotion. I’ve met General Dryden and he is a great man and leader, no two ways about it. Mads also told me some of his past.”

“Oh, well it’s a pleasure to meet you, Private Ford,” she said as she shook his hand. “Pardon the glasses, I just use those to fit in and…” Adriana sighed. “...hide myself from Anton, but I guess that’s not a problem anymore.”

“Dryden helps oversee The Liger Brigade,” Mads pointed out. “That makes him Will’s commanding officer.”

“Really now?” Well what do you think of him, Specialist?”

“He’d make a great edition to ENCOM, if a bit quirky…” Mads then sensed something odd about Will and stepped over to him. “Hold on a second…”

“Uh, Mads?” Will was a bit put off by Mads’ strange actions.

“Don’t panic, Will. I’m just…” he got uncomfortably close and sniffed the side of Will’s head. His eyes turned to that of a snake’s for a moment and he even hissed like one before backing up. “No way…”

“Mads?” Adriana asked. “What’s wrong?”

“Dryden, you absolute mad lad!”

“What is it, Sagan?” Adriana demanded to know. “I don’t like it when you know something I don’t…”

“Dryden administered The Undead Plague to The Liger Brigade, M.A.I.G., and GRENADIER! Jeez, he must have figured out how to create a stable version of the disease…”

Everyone was speechless, with Will looking nervously at his right arm. “Wait, was that what that classified vaccine was?”

Rostislav went over to Will and patted his left shoulder. “Well, um, I guess that explains why your blood has a snakey aftertaste to it, Will…”

“Pardon?” Adriana interrupted, utterly baffled at that assertion.

“I’m a vampire…”

“Mads, what is this ‘undead plague,’ if you don’t mind me asking?” Ludwig inquired.

“It’s a long, complicated story, but in simple terms it is the essence of The Reverse Serpent’s power that allows ENCOM operatives to properly combat The Undead Plague. It also creates undead hordes from nothing by collapsing superposition, but that is a whole higher dimensional physics lesson I am not prepared to give.”

Yale then realized something concerning. “Wait, so if the serpent was sealed in the Requiem Cosmos as I’ve heard through the grapevine, why was Dryden doing all of those injections then?”

“That would imply that the serpent has a good chance of escaping, correct?” Dunja questioned. “I mean, why would the director of ENCOM do that if there was no need?” She then noticed Aureolus deep in thought. “What’s the matter, dear?”

Aureolus crossed his arms and sighed. “The Reverse Serpent has escaped into the Cosmos proper. I’ve sensed slithering around in the Abyss of the Cosmos. It’s laying low at the moment…”

Adriana felt her adrenaline surge through her veins like fire as she grabbed Mads by the uniform. “WHY DIDN’T YOU DO ANYTHING, SAGAN!? AREN’T YOU 11D!?” she yelled as she shook him.

“Yeah, and my dad is -12D with mastery over superposition collapse-what do you expect me to do?”

“Is there anything we can do?” Will wondered, hoping there was an answer. Given the back and forth Mads and Adriana had been going through, he was a bit skeptical that there was a solution.

Aureolus gave the matter some thought and had an important realization. “Well I think we can relax a little as I’m pretty sure Anton and the serpent haven’t joined The Eternal Order. They would’ve used those two against us by now, let’s be real.” This seemed to have everyone in agreement. “Also let’s not tell Blood and the others about this just yet. They already have enough to worry about as is.” Again, everyone was certainly in agreement.

Ludwig had to take a seat in on the recliners, as he felt a bit overwhelmed. “And I thought The Decaying God was bad enough…”

“Well if it helps all of you feel better, I haven’t seen any Undead outbreaks in the Cosmos proper,” Mads reassured. “And my dad has been a lot more coherent ever since leaving the Requiem Cosmos. It makes me wonder if the imprisonment was actually doing more harm than good…”

Adriana gave a defeated sigh and also took a seat. “Well, Will, consider yourself an unofficial member of ENCOM.”

Will was surprised by this. “Oh, wow, er-yes, Ma’am!” he said with a salute. It did not do much to shake everyone’s mood.

Seeing that everyone was incredibly uneasy, Mads snapped his fingers and summoned a large, flat screen television. “How about we take a break and watch a movie or two? Me, Ulrich, and Tatiana did this all the time when we were stressed back home.”

“That would be lovely, Mads,” Dunja said as she sat down. “Then we’ll get back training, as you’re not done yet, Will.”

Will chuckled as Yale flew over to his shoulder. “Yeah, Mega Cannon took a lot out of me.”

“So what movie do you have in mind, Mads?” Adriana wondered as she and the others got comfortable.

“Give me one second,” he said as he got out what looked like a flip phone and dialed a number. “Ulrich, hey! Got a moment?... Get over here pronto, as we’re going to watch a movie or two… yeah, things got a little heavy after I found out Dryden’s been busy on Earth-23… yeah, he broke out and… no, it’s nothing to worry about, I think… Oh yeah, definitely bring Quasar along… Alright, see you soon.” He then closed the phone and sent it away. “Will, ready to meet a Discordant God of Chaos?”

“Oh, of course. Is he a friend of yours?”

“Old friend, from the Requiem Cosmos,” Mads said as he snapped his fingers again, summoning a popcorn machine, some snack stands, and a small fridge full of drinks. “Also this is before Quasar joined the guild, so be careful what you say, but that goes without saying.”

Next: Chapter 27

ULTRAMagic Alternate © 2022 William Ford II (ChaoticTempleKnight)

[bloomingdarkgarden]

A Canon-Compliant ACOTAR Story on AO3

Elain Archeron is not the wilting rose everyone believes her to be. Two years after playing her part in the war against Hybern, she has a vision of herself harnessing a power she is only beginning to understand. So perhaps a little more softly, a little more lethally, the third Archeron sister starts down the path unknown. For there’s something beginning to bloom within her- something darker, softer, and wilder than she can name, reaching for the song of the Void.

Chapter 1: Belladonna | Chapter 2: Winter Jasmine | Chapter 3: Ivy

Chapter 4: Marigold | Chapter 5: Foxglove | Chapter 6: Willowbark

Chapter 7: Iris | Chapter 8: Witchazel | Chapter 9: Starflower

Chapter 10: Orchid | Chapter 11: Hawthorn | Chapter 12: Mountain Ash

Chapter 13: Stinging Nettle | Chapter 14: Magnolia | Chapter 15: Peony

Chapter 16: Delphinium | Chapter 17: Passionflower | Chapter 18: Zinnia

Chapter 19: Moonlilly | Chapter 20: Dahlia | Chapter 21: Hyacinth

Chapter 22: Water Poppy | Chapter 23: Begonia | Chapter 24: Forget Me Not

Chapter 25: Henbane | Chapter 26: Aster | Chapter 27: Bellflower

[bisexualbumblebee-writes]

The Insiders Masterlist

Dally Winston x Tuesday Curtis | Sodapop Curtis x Charlie Ikeda | Darry Curtis x Ruth Bellows | Two-Bit Matthews x Willow Hawthorne

✨Completed✨

Starting Note

Chapter 1- Impasse (Dally x Tuesday)

Chapter 2- Walk You Home (Sodapop x Charlie)

Chapter 3- Dinner Date (Darry x Ruth)

Chapter 4- Jumped (Dally x Tuesday)

Chapter 5- The Fight (Sodapop x Charlie)

Chapter 6- Repentance (Darry x Ruth)

Chapter 7- The Rumble (Dally x Tuesday)

Chapter 8- Tuff Scars & Muddy Footprints (Sodapop x Charlie)

Chapter 9- The Ring (Darry x Ruth)

Chapter 10- Girl's Day (Dally x Tuesday)

Chapter 11- Pampered (Sodapop x Charlie)

Chapter 12- Treat (Darry x Ruth)

Chapter 13- Errands (Dally x Tuesday)

Chapter 14- Mr. Ikeda (Sodapop x Charlie)

Chapter 15- Meeting Mrs. Bellows (Darry x Ruth)

Chapter 16- Cowboys and Bull Riders (Dally x Tuesday)

Chapter 17- Horse Rider (Sodapop x Charlie)

Chapter 18- Off to the Rodeo (Darry x Ruth)

Chapter 19- Sean Brown (Dally x Tuesday)

Chapter 20- Trouble (Darry x Ruth)

Chapter 21- Sweet Treats (Two-Bit x Willow)

Chapter 22- Haircuts (Dally x Tuesday)

Chapter 23- The Letter (Sodapop x Charlie)

Chapter 24- Into the Office (Darry x Ruth)

Chapter 25- The Date (Two-Bit x Willow)

Chapter 26- Stress (Darry x Ruth)

Chapter 27- Putt (Two-Bit x Willow)

Chapter 28- Inferno (Dally x Tuesday)

Chapter 29- The Hospital (Sodapop x Charlie)

Chapter 30- Home Sweet (Darry x Ruth)

Chapter 31 - Free (All Ships)

Chapter 32- My Person (Darry x Ruth)

Chapter 33- Picnic (Two-Bit x Willow)

Chapter 34- Meant to Be (Sodapop x Charlie)

Chapter 35- Happy Ending (Dally x Tuesday)